Rise of the Fruitcake [Jack Quest - Finished]

[Dark]

Minh blinked, and blinked again, starring at the book and axe in her hands. Her Highness Anoushka must realize, being a Club herself, that their suit was usually capable of carrying substantial amounts of weight for extended lengths of time. Granted, holding them both above her head would be awkward, and she had about six hours until dark, but she still failed to see how this would be too overly taxing. The book and axe were obviously symbolic to her request, and holding them was relative to strength. The mental component, however, alluded her.

With a mental shrug, she lifted them above her head, grunting a little as her muscles protested the angle, and settled in to wait.

--

It didn't take long to discover why Anoushka had seemed so wickedly pleased with herself. The book and axe together weighed close to what Minh could usually handle, but raised over her head as they were added entirely unexpected, and unwelcome, complications.

She'd quickly lost feeling in her arms, pins and needles plaguing overly taxed muscles and zinging uncomfortably down into her shoulders and neck. The extra mass of the book and axe screwed with her central balance, and her back spasmed periodically from the strain.

Minh gritted her teeth against the strong desire to just forget the whole thing--drop the damn things, and walk out--but her pride, and the look on Aderlass' face if she came back empty-handed, kept her stubbornly set to her task.

Standing in direct sunlight, sweat pooled uncomfortably in the small of her back as she panted to try and keep cool, cursing her black fur all the while as it soaked in the excess warmth.

Her hands were starting to slip.

[The Jenn]

When the servant she had assigned the task of observing the feline's progress came and reported to her that the woman looked near her limit but was still holding both items as firmly as she was able, Anoushka deigned to return to the courtyard, full from lunch and a rather enjoyable soak in a lukewarm tub. She loved her baths and always got a kick out of her servants' faces when she removed her bindings to slide in with a sigh. Sometimes she could convince His Majesty to join her. Sadly, today wasn't one of those days.

The feline looked quite a sight, standing there with her arms stretched above her head, fur held down in some places by a gleaming line of sweat. She had to be overheating with that dark coat, a feeling the King knew quite well from her own times out in the sun. She walked over and looked at the woman's hands, both desperately clutching at their items. They looked quite sweaty themselves.

"Tell me," she said almost idly, "vhy you did not drop your burdens and leave after my ridiculous demands. It certainly seems rather silly."

[Dark]

Minh's brows furrowed rather impressively, and she idly entertained throttling the wretch. Why?

"You gave me a task, Your Highness, and I plan to see it through. This ordeal is as you mandated, and no matter how ridiculous I might view it as, I will meet the requirements."

She didn't lower the book or axe just yet, though, leery of being somehow tricked out of her goal. She didn't trust Anoushka and her sharp smile, and she wasn't likely to start anytime soon.

"Am I to assume you've returned for me, then, Your Highness, and the prerequisites of this challenge have been met?"

She was done being polite--to question her resolve after all she'd just put herself through was a unbelievable blow to her pride--and met the King's eye in challenge. She was tired, and cranky, and she didn't like getting mind-fucked.

This ended now.

[The Jenn]

Sharp teeth gleamed in the sunlight as Anoushka considered the feline. Feisty, now that it had come out. With things like those waving from her back, she would have had to become either feisty or broken at the attention, there was no doubt about it. And look at that forward stare. Yes, very nice.

"Oh, there vere no prerequisites to the challenge, silly kitty cat, just vhatever I felt like doing to you and hovever I felt like revarding you. That is the prerogative of the poverful, after all. Congratulations on taking a step in the right direction. I very much doubt that you vould enjoy the Courts."

She let the pause drag on for another moment, then let loose a bark of laughter and raised her hand to the other woman's breast. The gesture would likely be bizarre and unexpected, until there came a faint tingling warmth where she touched. A moment's concentration and then she stepped back a pace to admire her handiwork. "A proper 'J' for you," she said, then laughed again. "And vill you throw von or the other of your burdens at me, Miss Minh? Or vill you accept the offer of a bath and lunch before you leave?"

[Dark]

After the whole experience, Minh would have to agree with her initial conclusion about the Court--and the fact that she probably wouldn't thrive by being a part of it. And combined with meeting Anoushka, Minh really couldn't understand Aderlass' fascination. He was certainly driven to far greater ends, and she wondered if she'd be able to keep up.

Feeling just a tad depressed now, she lowered her burdens, stifling the whine that threatened to burst out as her muscles screamed in protest. She was definitely going to be feeling this later. Probably for the next month.

She'd accomplished what she'd come to do, though, and managed to summon up a smile for the canine.

"A bath would be lovely, Your Highness. As for lunch... I'll have to pass, as I have rather different requirements, than most."

And gods what she would do for a pint of blood, right now.

[The Jenn]

((And thus is it concluded. <3 Grats on your rank! PM Nat to let her know about the change and may the Force be with you. Don't forget your finishing points. ^_^))

[Dark]

(Eheheeee! Thanks, darling. <3 ))

[The Jenn]

Jenn and Dark both receive 1 token each, to be redeemed in Ashwin's Shoppe. This will automatically be added to your recorded totals in the shoppe. Congratulations, and keep up the good RP!